Light-emitting apparatus having a plurality of adjacent, overlapping light-guide plates

A liquid crystal display, comprising:

• a liquid crystal display panel having a plurality of LCD elements;
• and
• a backlight positioned behind the display panel, the backlight comprising:
• a plurality of adjacent, overlapping light-guide plates formed of light-transmissive material, wherein each of the light-guide plates has I) first and second ends, ii) one or more light-emitting surfaces, and iii) one or more reflective surfaces to redirect light within the light-guide plate;
• wherein, where first and second light-guide plates are adjacent, the first end of the first light-guide plate A) underhangs the second end of the second light-guide plate, and B) is positioned opposite a primary light-emitting side of the apparatus;
• a plurality of light sources, optically coupled to the first ends of the light-guide plates to illuminate the interiors of the light-guide plates;
• and
• a substantially rigid and thermally conductive substrate on which the light-guide plates are assembled, the substrate comprising, for each of the light-guide plates, an elongate planar member which comprises a primary end and a secondary end, the planar member extending in a first direction from the primary end to the secondary end, the primary end comprising a stepped member which comprises:
• a first planar section that extends upwardly from the elongate planar member, the first planar section comprising an upper end and a lower end;
• and
• a second planar section at the upper end of the first planar section, the second planar section extending rearwardly from the first planar section in a second direction which is opposite from the first direction.

A light-emitting apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of adjacent, overlapping light-guide plates, at least one of the light-guide plates including:
• first and second ends, the first end of which is adapted to receive light emitted by a light source;
• a first reflective surface extending between said first and second ends;
• a second reflective surface, opposite the first reflective surface and extending from said first end;
• a light-emitting surface, opposite the first reflective surface and extending from said second end;
• a surface that intersects and joins said second reflective surface to said light-emitting surface;
• wherein the first reflective surface forms an acute angle with said light-emitting surface;
• and
• a substantially rigid and thermally conductive substrate on which the light-guide plates are assembled, the substrate comprising, for each of the light-guide plates, an elongate planar member which comprises a primary end and a secondary end, the planar member extending in a first direction from the primary end to the secondary end, the primary end comprising a stepped member which comprises:
• a first planar section that extends upwardly from the elongate planar member the first planar section comprising an upper end and a lower end;
• and
• a second planar section at the upper end of the first planar section, the second planar section extending rearwardly from the first planar section in a second direction which is opposite from the first direction.